Research & reports

Corona-Munoz, Sergio · DigitalCommons - CalPoly (California State Polytechnic University) · United States

"Growing Character" is a three-lesson series modeling how agricultural spaces, particularly school gardens, can integrate social emotional learning (SEL) and social justice education. The program aims to empower students with skills for healthy emotional management and socially conscious behavior through an educational experience.

Sibel Telli · Çanakkale Onsekiz Mart University AVESIS · Turkey

This case study aimed to introduce the educational use of school gardens to 38 pre-service science teachers at a state university in Turkey, improving their subject knowledge, teaching competency, and confidence in outdoor settings. Educational research indicates that teacher education programs primarily focus on classrooms, leaving teachers unprepared for outdoor instruction. Through a lesson study model in a campus garden, pre-service teachers reported awareness of using scientific plant names but felt insufficient in their ability. However, the model was shown to contribute to their professional competence and subject knowledge.

Susan Anne Mansel Fitzgerald · · Cuba (Havana)

In Havana, Cuba, at Plaza de la Revolución, La Sazón, an urban farming and market, utilizes interstitial spaces to provide fresh produce and meat to the local community. This garden contributes to Cuba's emerging entrepreneurial and sustainable economy by connecting cultivation to consumption and fostering close relationships with other businesses and community groups.

Sina Razzaghi Asl, Hamil Pearsall · Land · Global

This systematic review evaluated how different modes of governance support ecosystem services (ES) in small-scale urban green infrastructure (UGI). Governance was assessed in six types of UGI: small parks, community gardens, vacant lands, rain gardens, green roofs, and street trees, examining the characteristics of four governance approaches: adaptive, network, mosaic, and transformative. Each governance mode was found to be potentially effective for managing the ES of certain small-scale UGI. The study highlights knowledge gaps at the intersection between governance arrangements and ES in small-scale UGI.

Megan Marshall · Journal of Agriculture Food Systems and Community Development · Global

"A Recipe for Gentrification" is an edited volume exploring the complex relationship between intent and impact at the intersection of alternative food systems and urban development. The book aims to unpack how food systems can both drive and resist gentrification. It shows that well-intentioned efforts to increase food access in a neighborhood can be an early initiator of gentrification, and urban agriculture and public green spaces are frequently co-opted for development efforts.

Angie Sassano, Christopher Mayes, Yin Paradies · Urban Policy and Research · Australia

In Australia, COVID-19 accelerated reliance on resiliency for post-pandemic urban recovery. This study examined the use of resilience in urban agriculture proposals for cities after COVID-19, drawing on critical literature. It argues that the current pandemic conditions for urban agriculture risk perpetuating urban colonial governmentality. The paper calls for a rethinking of urban agriculture for future cities by radically disrupting the foundational colonial logics of urban spatiality.

Anna Paltseva, Zhongqi Cheng, Murray B. McBride, Maha Deeb, Sara Perl Egendorf, Peter M. Groffman · Frontiers in Ecology and Evolution · Global

This synthesis paper summarizes current scientific knowledge on lead (Pb) contamination in urban garden soils and provides clear recommendations for assessing actual health risks and limiting exposure. Urban garden soils often contain elevated levels of Pb, mainly from legacy sources, which is a main barrier for urban gardening. Amendments are noted as unreliable for treating contaminated soils to reduce risk, as they do not always make contaminants less harmful.

Putu Adi Wiratenaya, Ni Nyoman Yuliarmi · Jurnal Penjaminan Mutu · Indonesia (Bali)

This research investigated strategies to improve urban agriculture quality for food security in Bali Province, Indonesia, using a literature study method. The findings revealed that urban farming in Bali faces many obstacles, including the absence of regulations on urban farming, the lack of an institution to protect urban farming communities, and ineffective marketing methods. Government support is needed for the agricultural sector.

David Lloyd, Kathryn Paige · Frontiers in Education · Australia

A case study was conducted at The Old School Community Garden (TOSCG) in the Adelaide Hills, Australia, teaching gardening to primary students. This project focused on using the garden as a learning place for Year 1 students (aged 6–7) working with Year 4 students (aged 9–10). Gardening provides young people with opportunities to learn science concepts while addressing local issues like organic food production, encompassing central aspects of science learning such as soil science, biological science, ecosystem management, and sustainable food supply.

Yangzixian Yang · Journal of Architectural Research and Development · United Kingdom (Birmingham)

This paper aims to assess Birmingham's suitability for flat rooftop farming in the United Kingdom. It explores two examples of rooftop farms, Brooklyn Grange in New York and Thammasat University, the largest rooftop farm in Asia, and proposes converting the tops of buildings at Birmingham City University into a flat roof farm.

Danielle Treadwell, Lisa Hickey, Tabitha Petri, James M. Stephens · EDIS · United States (Florida)

This publication provides considerations and best practices for selecting the best crops to transplant and how to prepare transplants for home and community gardens in Florida. It notes the benefits of starting one's own vegetable transplants, as varieties available in retail centers are often not the best-tasting or best-adapted for the local area.

Monika Egerer, Brenda B. Lin · CABI Reviews · Global

This review evaluated ecosystem services (ES) within urban agriculture (UA) systems and the trade-offs between these services. Urban agriculture provides many benefits and environmental services such as food provision, social cohesion, and climate regulation. However, it was shown that management decisions can create trade-offs between ecosystem services, where an increase in one service may potentially reduce the system's ability to provide another service at a desired level.

Renata Jati Nirmala · GEMA PUBLICA · Indonesia (Yogyakarta)

This study described the adaptation of the Bausasran Vegetable Village community in Yogyakarta during the COVID-19 pandemic through urban farming, using community empowerment theory. Data was collected via interviews, observation, and literature study. Findings indicated that urban farming maximized the use of yards, walls, green spaces, streets, and alleys for vegetable cultivation. Key actors included government, NGOs, community, farmers, companies, donors, activists, volunteers, and academics, with social, institutional, economic, ecological, spatial, and natural conditions identified as supporting factors for success.

Bruk Getahun, Essayas Deribe · Landscape Architecture and Regional Planning · Ethiopia

A case study in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, assessed the contribution of architectural design concepts for sustainable urban farming in selected urban farms. The research evaluated urban farms using six criteria based on the three pillars of sustainability: ecological, social, and economical. Findings revealed that most urban farms in Addis Ababa did not fully achieve the sustainability criteria.

Madziatul Churiyah, Buyung Adi Dharma, Sholikhan · PRIMA PORTAL RISET DAN INOVASI PENGABDIAN MASYARAKAT · Indonesia (Malang)

This study aimed to describe the agricultural management skills of an urban farming group (20 people) in Keben Permai village, Malang, Indonesia, after receiving empowerment through mentoring and training in agricultural management. Conducted as action research, skill data was obtained through observation sheets. The results showed that the agricultural management skills of the Keben Permai urban farming group were in the "very good" category, indicating that members possess very good skills to manage agriculture.

Maicol Negrello, Daniele Roccaro, Kevin Santus, Isabella Spagnolo · DOAJ (DOAJ: Directory of Open Access Journals) · Europe

This paper examines urban agriculture's role in enhancing the resilience of European urban areas against climate change. Through a historical overview and analysis of contemporary case studies, it provides design tools for interventions at urban and architectural scales. The essay presents a replicable morpho-typological approach for designers and policy-makers to increase urban resilience.

Jianren Shi, Qiaoyun Guo, Xiumin Zhao · Sustainability · China (Hangzhou)

This paper applies permaculture design concepts to an "air vegetable plot" urban farm in lowland communities of Hangzhou, China, combining urban life with traditional agricultural production. It proposes an "Internet + Agriculture" integration strategy to build a multi-functional industry of life, production, and ecology. The aim is to promote sustainable rural development and common prosperity through agricultural industry digitization.

Rachel Bechtold, Catherine W. Shoulders, Jennie Popp, Donald M. Johnson, Lisa S. Wood · Natural sciences education · United States

This study evaluated the process and efficacy of installing a demonstration plot along a multiuse trail in Southeast Kansas to educate the community on rehabilitative plots. The greatest perceived challenges for this case study were the allotment of time and money for initial costs of the demonstration plot and addressing methodology for plant blindness in viewers.

Francesco Orsini, Michele D’Ostuni · Frontiers for Young Minds · Global

Urban agriculture, which involves growing food in cities, promotes local and sustainable food systems to address global challenges such as growing urban populations, climate change, and natural resource scarcity. Farming in cities positively impacts the environment, ecosystem, and climate, while also bringing communities together and improving citizens' health.

Md. Abdul Quddus · Horticulture International Journal · Global

This review study investigated the scenario, advantages, and challenges of rooftop farming in urban communities. Rooftop gardening provides fresh, nutrition-rich food for urban dwellers, serves as an alternative land use, improves the urban atmosphere, and offers household recreation. Previous research indicates that insight and consciousness of roof gardening enrich wellbeing, social value, and enjoyable farming for building residents.

Mohd Zulkifli Muhammad, Mohd Zulkifli Muhammad, Reza Putra, Abdul Rahman, Ridho Hafis, Faizar Rianda · JURNAL HURRIAH Jurnal Evaluasi Pendidikan dan Penelitian · Indonesia

The A Bee Honey group in Gampong Alue Awe, Muara Dua subdistrict, implemented a pilot program for Trigona honey bee cultivation from August to November 2022. Despite its potential as an income source, honey supply does not consistently meet demand, and a lack of understanding regarding cultivation and economics reduces consumer interest. The community also does not fully comprehend the advantages and potential of trigona bee cultivation. Training was provided to educate the community on its potential as an alternative income source, resulting in five family heads joining the program.

Beverly Christian, Karyn A. Cameron, Robyn Pearce · Journal of Outdoor and Environmental Education · Australia

This qualitative case study explored how an established environmentally friendly garden program at one Australian primary school contributed to the development of core competencies. The study revealed that gardening, as part of the school program, provided opportunities for students to develop the general capabilities outlined in the Australian Curriculum. This research addresses a gap in the literature regarding how primary schools embed competencies into their learning programs.

Ro'fatul Maulaa, Niken Kusumarini, Dian Triastari Armanda · BIOLOGICA SAMUDRA · Indonesia (Semarang)

The potential and constraints of urban farming development on the railroad border in Bangetayu Wetan Village, Genuk District, Semarang City, Indonesia, were investigated through observation, interviews, and documentation. The approximately 1 to 2-hectare area cultivated crops such as corn, cassava, and sugarcane, with yield predictions sufficient to meet food needs. However, the presence of pests, diseases, and weeds were identified as constraints, indicating challenges for urban farming development.

Febby Asteriani, Rona Muliana, Subhan Arridho, Apriyan Dinata · Jurnal Abdi Masyarakat Indonesia · Indonesia (Pekanbaru)

A community service activity in Simpang Tiga Village, Pekanbaru City, Indonesia, aimed to socialize the importance of utilizing idle land for food crop cultivation. The activity provided counseling and practical training on proper food crop planting techniques to residents of RW 02 RT 01. Results showed that the community was receptive to the knowledge, actively practiced the techniques, and increased their understanding of urban farming and environmental conservation.

Emmanuelle Melis, Emma Louise Armitage, Yuxin Ma, Amelia Weiss, Brian E. Robinson · McGill Science Undergraduate Research Journal · United States (Chicago)

This study investigated the location of urban commercial farms in Chicago, Illinois, and whether there is a significant disparity between the social demographics of production and sale points. All production and distribution points for commercial urban farming companies were geocoded and analyzed against socioeconomic indicator data from the 2016 US census, including median annual household income, mean home value, and percent racialized minority population. Findings revealed statistically significant differences in socioeconomic indicators between census tracts of farm and sale point locations, showing a skewness of farm locations towards lower socioeconomic status areas and sale point locations towards higher socioeconomic status areas. This suggests that while farms are more likely to be located in marginalized neighborhoods in Chicago, most produce grown by these farms is sold in more privileged areas.